Furrowed Frown Ticks With Risk Of Heart Attack

That`s the warning from researchers at the University of California at San Francisco who have determined that a hostile grimace may be evidence of an increased risk of heart attack.

The facial expression-characterized by narrowed eyes and angled eyebrows- is often vivid evidence that a person is truly hostile. And hostility-rather than intense, hard-driving, competitive behavior-is a key component of being coronary-prone, says Margaret Chesney, a professor of epidemiology at UCSF who has specialized in cardiovascular research. The reason: It puts the body through ``tremendous psycho-physiological`` stress.

``It`s an enduring personal posture that the person takes when interacting with the world,`` Chesney says, ``maintaining a cynical and suspicious attitude toward others.``

Instead of viewing others as ``fellow travelers,`` she adds, a truly hostile person often regards others as merely ``taking up space on the road.`` What to do if you find yourself glaring?

Re-evaluate whether what`s making you mad is really worth responding to

``as if it were the tempest of all time,`` Chesney says.

``We`re not saying don`t get angry,`` she says. ``But the key is to be selective.``